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Avoiding Toxic Planning
Planning can be such a positive activity. It promises to help us get organized and even have some fun doing it. But, as with anything, taken to the extreme, planning can lead to overwhelm and dissatisfaction. Read on to learn about toxic planning and ways to keep your planning habits positive and healthy.
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Journaling Prompts About Family
Did you know that every May 15th is International Family Day? I learned about this international day of observance and it inspired me to explore the many ways family plays a role in my life. Processing our family experiences through journaling can help explore our histories and find ways to connect with those we care about. Read on for some prompts that can help you recall family members and inspire you to create new ones.
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Tips for Transitioning into a New Planner & 18- Month Happy Planner Review
It's mid-year planner launch season, which means 16, 17, and 18-month planners are on the shelves! It also means preparing to move out from last year's planner into the next. This doesn't have to be a tedious chore. In this article, you'll find tips on ways to easily transition into a new planner as well as a review of the new 18-month Heartland Happy Planner.
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Journaling the Season: 20 Spring Journaling Prompts
In many parts of the world, spring is known as a season of new beginnings. Blooms emerge on flowers and trees, and the temperature becomes warmer. Of course, it can also bring with it rainy weather and sneezy noses. Processing this season of new life through journaling can be a way to help focus on the good aspects of this time of year while helping manage the feelings surrounding some of its drawbacks. Read on for some prompts that can help identify the positive aspects of the season and encouragement to try some new activities during these warmer days.
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My Top 10 Favorite Craft Supplies
March is National Crafting Month, and I could not let the month go by without recognizing it. I have tons of craft supplies but, the top 10 featured here are ones that I find essential to my creative projects. This article, therefore, is an ode to craft supplies- my favorite ones, at least. Read on for descriptions and links to these items, which help me unwind, relax, and create.
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Inspiration for Journaling: Reviewing “The Anthropocene Reviewed”
While book reviews are not unusual subjects for articles on this blog, a review about a non-fiction book of essays on the human experience, is admittedly somewhat unusual. Read on to learn more about why John Green's "The Anthropocene Reviewed" is the perfect book to inspire anyone looking for unique journaling inspiration.
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Journaling the Season: 20 Winter Journaling Prompts
For some, winter is a favorite time of year. For others, it can be a long and gloomy season. Sometimes, digging into the memories and feelings surrounding the season can help us find the good in it and enjoy what we are experiencing in the here and now. Read on for some prompts that can help bring out the best of this season and encouragement to find new ways to enjoy it.
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11 Ideas for Setting Meaningful Intentions for Your Journals
Are there notebooks, sketchbooks or journals you have lying around that you'd like to put to use but are not sure what to do with? Perhaps you have so many ideas for a journal, it's overwhelming to think about how it might best serve you? Setting an intention for your journal is an excellent way to decide on the purpose your journal will serve and focus on ways to use the book that are most meaningful to you. In this article, you'll find 11 ideas for setting intentions for your journals that will hopefully inspire you to work in them all year long.
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My 2022 Journal Lineup
Another lineup for 2022- this time of the many journals I plan to use this year. Journaling has taken off lately as more than just a way to document the passage of time. They can be used to brainstorm, reflect on life, and express our creativity. If you are curious about how to use multiple journals or just want to see several examples of journals used in different ways, this post should be helpful.
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My 2022 Planner Lineup
2022 is here and so is my latest line-up of planners for the new year. There are many of us planners out there who use more than one planner at a time. If you are curious about how to use multiple planners or just want to see which ones work well together, this article should provide some insight.
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My “Cultivate Your Year Live” Experience
Although I have been using PowerSheets Planners faithfully for nearly 5 years, I never had the chance to attend the annual planning event hosted by Cultivate What Matters. This year marks my first time attending Cultivate Your Year Live, and I am so grateful I went. In this post, I share my experience and takeaways from this impressive online event.
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Using Your Word of the Year All Year Long
When it comes to goal-setting, having a word of the year is an important way to stay focused and motivated in achieving goals. But, choosing a word of the year is only part of the equation. Making sure to keep that word at the forefront of your goal-setting journey means finding ways to use it. Read on for ideas and journaling prompts to help you use your word of the year beyond the initial, beginning of the year goal-setting prep work.
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Book Review: What Happened to You?
In this month's book review, a co-authored work by Oprah Winfrey and psychiatrist, Dr. Bruce Perry, takes center stage. As a society, we have only begun to scratch the surface of how trauma impacts individuals, families, and communities. This book provides a great introduction to the spectrum of trauma and asks us to shift our questions about difficult people from "what is wrong with you?" to "what happened to you?" It does this with a mix of scientific information told through real-life stories. Read on to learn more about this fascinating introduction to a developing area of mental health.
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Planner Review: 2022 Recovery Edition Happy Planner & Sticker Book
This marks the second year The Happy Planner company has offered a Recovery Edition planner and the first year it sold a Recovery sticker book. I continue to be impressed with this product, which has recently taken a step back from it's 12-step theme and has more of a neutral, wellness message. Read on for more on these helpful planning tools!
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Planner Review: 2022 Simplified Daily Planner
Although Simplified Planners are known for not having too many bells and whistles, there were some changes and improvements this year worth noting. Read on for a review of the 2022 Simplified Daily Planners.
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Planner Review: 2022 PowerSheets Planner and Accessories
Each year I review the latest PowerSheets Intentional Goal-Setting Planner, and this year I am once again impressed with the changes made and the accessories offered. Read on for a review of the 2022 PowerSheets Planner and some great accessories you can pair with your planner!
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Book Review: “13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don’t Do”
This month's book review focuses on some of the self-defeating habits and thoughts that women have. In "13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don't Do," we learn how to overcome some of these unhealthy practices and find ways to lift up the women around us.
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Using a Plum Paper Monthly Planner for Blog Content Planning
Even a hobby blogger needs to plan out blog posts and track spending and any income from their website. Monthly planners are a great tool for keeping up with your blog, and with the blog add-ons they provide on their site, Plum Paper’s monthly planner makes blog planning a breeze. Read on to learn more about these useful and quality planners for blog planning.
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8 Reasons Why You Need a Planner on Vacation: Recommendations and Ideas for Planning on the Road
The summer may be over, but we can still dream about vacation season. One thing I learned to do for my trips this year was to bring a small vacation planner rather than lugging around my main weekly planner. In this article, I give some reasons why having a vacation planner is a necessity for a trip. I also provide some tips on planners that fit the bill for travel, including a review of how I used my JM Planning Essentials Weekly Planner for my travels this year.
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Book Review: Emily Ley’s “When Less Becomes More”
With her focus on simplifying our homes and lives, Emily Ley has won over many stressed out women. Her book, "When Less Becomes More" explores the many ways we can further simplify our time and set our sights on a less perfect but more fulfilling life. Read on for this month's book review.
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Planner Review: 2021-2022 Large Simplified Student Planner
For many kids, another school year has almost begun. And, one of my favorite planner companies has outdone itself with a large version of the student planner it launched last year. Read on for a review, comparison to the smaller version, and some suggestions for fun accessories!
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Recovering Our Creativity: Book Review of The Artist’s Way
One of the most recommended books for fostering creativity and finding inspiration is actually a 12-week course. The Artist's Way has been encouraging creative recovery for the past 25 years. Read on to learn about some of the key themes and takeaways from this seminal work on reclaiming our creativity.
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10 Reasons You Should Decorate Your Planner
So, what's the deal with all those planner stickers, washi tape, and fancy pens? What is the point of adding these kinds of decorations to a book that is meant to write down tasks and appointments? Is it worth spending the time and money to decorate your planner? I can say with confidence that it is. Read on to learn about 10 reasons you should be decorating your planner.
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Personal Declarations: Journaling Prompts to Help Write Your Own
Around this time of year in the USA, we celebrate a holiday that centers around a founding document- the Declaration of Independence. Those who wrote and signed this document felt the need to demand freedom, which is something we may all feel the need to do, depending on our circumstances. If there are areas of your life that could use some greater independence, why not take apply this concept and write your own declaration? Included in this post are journaling prompts that will help to get that process started. Even if you decide not to write out a full personal declaration, these journaling prompts can help work through some of…
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A Little Nostalgia Therapy: 20 Summertime Journaling Prompts
Each season brings its own set of experiences and memories. Summer is one of the most memorable for many of us, especially if you grew up with schools closed for summer break. Since recalling positive memories can be therapeutic, what better way to ring in the summer than to scribble out some journaling prompts about this sunny season. Read on for some prompts that will help bring out sweet memories and hopefully inspire you to make some new ones.
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Ideas for Motivation, Productivity, and Focus from “Smarter, Faster, Better”
This month's book review is by an author whose work I've mentioned before. Charles Duhigg's latest book, "Smarter, Faster, Better," has practical ideas for improving motivation, focus, and overall productivity. This article highlights some of the more practical ideas to improve everything from decision-making to goal setting.
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Crafty Packing Lists: Ideas for Crafting on the Go
Now that the world is opening back up, there are so many fun ways to document our experiences, and crafting is a great way to do that. There's no need to wait until you get back from your trip to be creative if you take some supplies with you. Check out these lists of creative journaling, art, lettering, and planning supplies that are easy to pack and even more fun to use while you travel.
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Journaling Cards and Tags- Easy Ways to Make and Use Them
Making paper crafts can be a fun and relaxing activity, but when you're short on time, you need a project that can be done quickly. Journaling cards and tags are a quick and easy way to use your craft supplies to make pretty and functional pieces to include in your planner or journal. Read on for some simple ideas to create these lovely little embellishments.
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Lettering Ideas if You Hate Your Own Handwriting
Journaling, especially creative journaling can be such a fun stress reliever. You get to play with paper, stickers, inks, and paints. But, if you hate your own handwriting, that can easily take out some of the fun and satisfaction of creating otherwise beautiful pages. In this post, there are some lettering solutions for those of us who could use a hand in the handwriting department. Check out these 12 ideas for sprucing up the lettering on your pages and even improving your own handwriting.
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“Reflections on Life During a Pandemic & 10 Journaling Prompts to Process that Time”
More than a year after the U.S. shut down to slow the spread of a global pandemic, my part of the world is very much shut down again due to a fuel crisis. That led me to reflect on what my life has been like since that initial shutdown in March 2020. This week's article encourages taking time to reflect on how this situation affected us all and has journaling prompts to get you started.
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“Successful Mornings Depend on Productive, Well-Planned Evenings”
We have all heard about the importance of morning routines and using early morning hours for things that want to do but might put off if we wait until later in the day. Read on to learn about how a well-planned evening routine can prep you for a successful morning.
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Evolution of a Hobby: Confessions of a Former Scrapbook Junkie
National Scrapbook day has come and gone, and it marked yet another year that I have not participated in this hobby. Sometimes our hobbies are our passions, filling up our free time with joyful activities. But, when life changes and the hobby no longer suits our needs, we can let it evolve into other pursuits that are just as satisfying. In this tell-all article, I describe how my scrapbooking obsession gave way to more easy-to-manage hobbies that allow me to feel that same joy I felt when I was scrapping.
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Step by Step Journaling Project: Vintage Watercolor Journal
Journaling is a relaxing activity that comes in many forms: writing, creative journaling, and art journaling. This week's article provides a step-by-step tutorial for making a simple and easy watercolor journal, complete with a list of tools and materials. This project takes less than an hour to create and makes a lovely little watercolor journal you can use for artwork or creative journaling.
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New Write the Word Journals and Creative Ideas for Using Them
The 2021 Write the Word Journals have been released and they're just as good as ever. In this article, I review both the two new Write the Word Journals as well as the new Kids Adventure Journal. Also, learn about different ways to use mixed media to express your faith in this book. From priming the page to using various art media, there are so many ways to get creative in these journals.
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Spring Cleaning our Mindsets, Schedules, and Routines
While spring cleaning our homes can be overwhelming and unpleasant, we should consider the benefits of spring cleaning other aspects of our lives. Read on for a review of Carol Dweck, PhD's "Mindset," and ways to adopt a growth mindset to help realize our full potential. Also, learn about how decluttering our minds, schedules, and routines can help us structure more fulfilling lives.
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How to Use a Weekly Planner to Customize a Household Cleaning System
Does the thought of spring cleaning feel overwhelming and exhausting? If so, you may need to spread those spring cleaning chores throughout the year so you can maintain your home and not get stuck cleaning for an entire week. Using all the layouts in a weekly planner can help you tackle both daily and less frequent chores, leaving you time to enjoy the pretty weather! Check out this example using a Happy Planner classic vertical!
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Write and Repeat: Reinforce What Matters Through Focused Repetition
We live in a very distracting world. On a daily basis our minds are pulled in a million different directions. And, despite our best efforts, we can easily lose sight of the things that truly matter to us such as our goals, values, and dreams. The simple act of repeatedly writing about these things can help to keep us focused on them no matter what is happening in our chaotic lives. Read on to learn about how Focused Repetition can help reinforce the things that matter most to us.
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Easy Custom-Decorated Notebook and Journal Covers
March is National Crafting Month, which means it's time to break out those arts and craft supplies that have been gathering dust to try a new project. This article features an easy way to use collage and decoupage to decorate any journal notebook cover.
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Personal Vision Statements: Finding your Drive and Envisioning Your Future
While many have written and experienced the benefit of having a personal mission statement, vision statements are less well known. Where mission statements help us define ourselves and our purpose, vision statements give us direction for the future. In this article, we use the concepts of Daniel Pink's "Drive," to get at the heart of what motivates us and create a statement that will propel us toward a better future.
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21 Journal Prompts to Celebrate our Friendships with Women
During Women's History Month, it only seems fitting for women to take a moment to think about our friendships with other women. In a society that sometimes celebrates rivalries and drama between women, it's important to step back and take a look at the positive aspects of our friendships. Journaling is a great way to help us think about these relationships. Read on for 21 prompts to help you explore the many aspects of female friendships.
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Resource Roundup: 34 Websites With Powerful Journaling Prompts
We all know that journaling is a great way to learn more about ourselves, process difficult situations, and exercise our creativity, but we can sometimes get in a rut. If you're looking for some journaling inspiration, this week's article should do the trick. No matter what kind of journaling you are hoping to do, there are blogs and websites that have free journaling prompts to help. Here are 34 great sites and some bonus books you can use to keep yourself writing all year long.
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Writing a Personal Mission Statement That Starts with Your Why
Writing a personal mission statement can help provide direction in many areas of life. And, while there's no wrong way to write one, it helps to make sure you know your why.
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Paper Penguin Co. Review and Ideas for Using Colorful Traveler’s Notebooks
This week's post is a two-for-one deal. Paper Penguin Co. is a company that primarily sells Traveler's Notebook inserts. These lovely books, which come in a wide range of sizes also come in a variety of styles, colors, covers, and papers. Read on to learn more about this unique notebook company and discover some ideas for putting travelers notebooks with different colored paper options.
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How and Why to Write Yourself a Love Letter
With Valentine's Day approaching, we will no doubt be thinking of how to best show those around us that we love them. But, what about showing that same love to ourselves? One of the best ways to do this is to take the time to write ourselves a letter that celebrates our triumphs and makes us feel appreciated. Read on for ways to try this therapeutic practice and show yourself some love.
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Keeping Goals Flexible: Reassessing When to Change, Power Through, or Let Go of Our Goals
This is it, that time just a few weeks away from the new year when our bright, new goals may have started to lose their shine. The question is do we keep them, change them or let them go altogether? Read on for ways to stay flexible with our goal-setting.
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Easy Vision Board Ideas Anyone Can Do
While journals and planners are great tools for setting intentions and following through on goals, vision boards can provide some visual inspiration to keep you on track. The great thing about vision boards is that they do not have to be elaborate or expensive to have an impact. This article has simple themes and ideas that will have you putting together your vision boards in no time.
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Using “Atomic Habits” to Turn Planning and Journaling into Daily Habits
Planning and journaling can have truly positive effects on our lives. From how we spend our time to ways we process life's circumstances, these activities, when done regularly, can be therapeutic. In order to reap the most rewards from planning and journaling, making them daily habits is key. This week's article applies ideas from the book "Atomic Habits" to help establish positive planning and journaling habits.
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13 Fun Ways to Use Undated Planners & Review of JM Planning Essentials Products
It's rare to find a planner company committed to making quality products at reasonable prices. JM Planning Essentials is just such a company. The planners are not only well made, they are also undated, which means they can be used in a variety of creative ways. Read on to learn more about the many uses for these lovely planners.
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Using Multiple Journals, and My 2021 Journal Lineup
In the same way that I find it useful to use multiple planners, using multiple journals has been another way to help keep me grounded and promote well-being. Read on to see if using multiple journals might benefit your self-care routine.
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Make Plans to Celebrate: Even During Difficult Times
Final post of 2020, and I'm happy to report that despite all the trouble this year has brought, I have made the choice to celebrate the last few days. A celebration is not just another word for partying. Instead, it is something we can do to set us on a positive path, even during tough times. Read on to find out how to plan more celebration into your life, despite a difficult circumstances.
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Using Multiple Planners and My 2021 Planner Lineup
As we approach 2021, it's time to think about the planners that will serve us best in the new year. I, along with other planner enthusiasts, use multiple planners, and not just because I'm planner-obsessed. If you've ever wondered how some people can use more than one planner, this is the article for you. Read on to learn whether this planning style might work for you and see my lineup for 2021, including how and when I plan to use them.
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The Art of Pivoting: How to Use Planners and Journals to Handle Life’s Detours
As 2020 draws to a close, we may be worrying about all the uncertainty that still lies ahead. That said, if we learn to shift our direction in response to changing circumstances, we can end up in a better position than we were before. Read on to learn how pivoting can help us find a better path when things aren't working for us.
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Favorite Planner Supplies From 2020
It's gift-giving season, and there's no better time to stock up on some planner supplies! Read on for a list of my absolute favorites from this year and links so you can find them.
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The Power of The Word: Ways to Brainstorm and Choose a Word of the Year, Season, Month, Week, or Day
It's that time of year when we start to think about goals, new year's resolutions, and the words that perfectly capture what we desire for the year to come. If you're struggling with choosing your word of the year, read on for some tips and ideas to find the right word for you.
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Resource Roundup Part 2! Even More Black and Minority-Owned Planner and Stationery Shops
When I discovered the many stores featured in my first Resource Roundup of Black-Owned Planner Shops, I knew I had just scratched the surface. This article features even more companies, and the list is expanded to include companies owned by other minorities as well. With the economy still struggling, these are great small businesses to support as we do our holiday shopping.
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Planner Review and 24 Ideas for Journaling in a Spaces Planner
There are so many planners on the market right now. Most of them are versions of ones you've seen before. But, others are truly unique. This week's feature planner is one that can be used for more than just planning out your tasks and schedules. Read on to learn about how to use a Spaces Planner for journaling about your goals and dreams.
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14 Ideas for Using a Morning Journal to Plan Your Day
While it's important to plan out your week in advance, daily planning is also key. And, that kind of planning takes some thought. This is where journaling and list-making come into play. This week's post explores 14 different ideas for using a morning journal to effectively plan your day.
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Planner Review: 2021 PowerSheets Goal Planner and Tips to Help You Breeze Through the Prep Work
The 2021 PowerSheets are here! If you're curious about how this amazing goal-setting system works or have invested in it but feel intimidated by the prep work, read on for tips on how to get through the prep work and keep going all year long without becoming overwhelmed.
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Monthly Planning Reviews: Seeing Where You’ve Been to Know Where You’re Going
Planning is not just thinking about the future. To be able to truly think about what comes next, we have to look back and see how our plans have been going. This week, we are exploring how a monthly planning review practice can help set our planners up for a successful new month.
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Planner Review: Learn Calligraphy Happy Planner
The Happy Planner has done it again. This time, they have created a planner that can be used as more of a workbook than even a planner for anyone wanting to learn how to hand letter or develop a daily practice. Read on to learn more about the Learn Calligraphy Planner.
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How (and Why) to Plan During Down Times
With so much in our world still on hold, it might seem like investing in a planner for 2021 might be a waste of money. However, the down times are often when we can get creative with our planning. Read on to learn 8 ways to use a planner during down times.
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Planner Review: Happy Planner Recovery Collection
The Happy Planner has been launching some unique products, but none have impressed me as much as their Recovery collection. Although people in 12-step programs could easily put these to use, read on to learn how these products can be used for anyone engaged in a personal growth journey!
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2021 Simplified Daily Planner Review & Over 30 Tips for Using the Blank Spaces
The Simplified Planners have launched! These planners have not changed much since last year, which means there is plenty of space to use as creatively as you like. Read on for more than 30 ways to use the extra space in the daily layout!
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Using 16, 17, and 18-Month Planners and Calendars
With 2021 calendar year planners and calendars hitting the shelves this fall, it is a great time to look at the 16, 17, and 18-month versions that are going on sale. These are great for long-term planning and have some advantages over their 12-month counterparts. Read on to learn how to use these functional planners and calendars.
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8 Action Items to Turn Those “Someday” Dreams into Today’s Goals
We have a few months left to the year, and it's not too late to get back on the goal-setting bandwagon. This week's article provides some motivation to get started, especially if you find yourself constantly putting off your dreams and desires to "someday."
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Hobby Blogging and Using Monthly Planners for Planning Blog Content
After a year of hobby blogging about everything from self-care and family life to organization and planners, it was time to talk about how to plan out blog posts. This article explains how to use a simple monthly planner to keep up with creating content and posting blog articles, whether you blog for business or just for yourself.
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Decoding Basic Planner Terms: Part II
This week's article picks up where last week's left off- by defining and explaining various planner terms. From specialty planners to accessories, this post should be helpful to anyone interested in learning more about planners and their many features.
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“Decoding Basic Planner Terms: Part I”
When it comes to paper planners, there are almost as many options as there are people to buy them. Deciding on which planner to buy can be a daunting task, especially with all the different terminology for the many features a planner can have. This post is the first in a series covering planner terms that will help you figure out which type of planner will work best for your needs.
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Planning During Tough Times: What to do with your planners and goals during difficult seasons
When we are navigating difficult seasons, it can be hard to figure out what to do with the planners we have purchased and the goals we had set. This article explores the ways we can use our planners to help us find comfort during and eventually move forward from difficult times.
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12 Satisfying Creative Journaling Ideas to Try Right Now
Creative journalingn is quickly becoming a popular way for people to express themselves on paper. This kind of journaling blends writing with arts and crafts, for a satisfying experience that promotes good mental health through a creative outlet. Read on to learn more about the many ways you can use creative jouraling to create memorable works of art in any book.
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Write the Word Journals: Review and Comparison of the Original, New, and Kids’ Versions
This week's post centers around a favorite journal of mine. For people who want to learn scripture and have a space to journal about their faith, the Write the Word Journals are a great way to do just that. Whether you opt for one of their classic editions, a new version, or would like to introduce your kids to this practice, there is a journal for everyone.
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“Plan to Take it Easy: How to Use Planners to Set a Gentler Pace”
When life gets frantic, so can we. And, that can lead to hasty decisions, health problems, and feeling like our lives are unhappy or unmanageable. When we make the decision to "take it easy" in all aspects of our lives, we give ourselves permission to relax and find enjoyment in our days. Read on to learn how our planners can be used to help us "take it easy" no matter what is happening in our crazy lives.
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“Planner Review: Simplified Student Planner and Fun Planning Accessories for Students”
As many of us approach an uncertain school year, we can all use a little pep talk as well as some inspiration for keeping our kids organized for the new school year. In this week's article, we discuss making the "right" decision about school as well as reviewing the new Simplified Student Planner and suggesting fun accessories to go with it.
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8 Steps for an Effective Mid-Year Goals Review (And Tools to Make It Fun!)
We're a little over the half-way point for the year, and that means it'a great time to check in with our goals. Included in this post, you'll find 8 steps for doing your own mid-year goals review along with a list of fun and practical supplies to keep you motivated.
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“Willingness: The First Step in Making Positive Changes”
We are more than half-way through the year, so changing up some goals might be in store. But, when it comes to implementing meaningful changes in our lives, the key may lie in our willingness to make these changes. In this article, we explore how willingness serves as a bridge between inspiration and action.
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Resource Roundup! The Ultimate Guide to Finding Black-Owned Planner and Planner Product Companies
After the events of the past few weeks, many people are asking how we can be better allies to our Black neighbors. One way is to support Black-owned businesses. And, with the many Black-owned planner and planner accessory shops on the market, there are a lot of options when it comes to buying Black. Read on for ways to find Black-owned planner shops along with a few recommendations based on ones I have found.
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Planner Review: The Girls Goal Planner by Cultivate What Matters
After using a Cultivate What Matters PowerSheets Goal Setting Planner for the past few years, I was thrilled to learn that Cultivate had developed a planner for a younger audience. Read on for a review of the innovative Girls Goal Planner and some suggestions for supplies that will get your young planner excited to set some goals!
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Why Having a Positive Mindset is a Choice and How Making Changes in 3 Key Areas Can Help Change Your Perspective
We live in a world where people are constantly trying to sell us some form of happiness. This is likely because the human experience is often filled with difficulties. However, experiencing suffering does not mean we have to surrender to negative thinking and behaviors. Read on to learn how having a positive mindset is a choice and one that we can choose even during times of adversity.
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Why I Am No Longer Supporting My Favorite Planner Companies
After discovering that my favorite planner company was apologizing and insisting it could "do better," I did some investigating and learned that I need to say goodbye.
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A book list for those of us who want to learn more about combating racism
With the events that have unfolded over the past couple of weeks, I am trying to further educate myself about racism in our country. After reviewing many lists of the best books on the subject, I found 11 that made nearly every list.
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Week 10 of Quarantine- How to Refocus and Reset Goals: 10 Action Items that Work
Yup- we're talking about goals again. This time, let's get down to the heart of the matter- you're struggling with setting goals or feeling unmotivated to work on them. Why? You lack focus. During this very unsettling time, it's no wonder so many of us feel scattered. Read on for ways to center yourself so you can effectively focus on goals that will help you through this uncertain time.
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Quarantine Update- Week 9 of Quarantine: Five Types of Emotional Baggage & How to Let Them Go
While being in quarantine provides a great opportunity to practice self-reflection and resilience, we first need to see what things might be holding us back from being able to truly bounce back and be better than we were before this pandemic started. Read on to learn about the 5 types of emotional baggage that may be keeping you from fully realizing your potential and some tips for letting those things go.
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Quarantine Update- Week 8 of the #StayAtHomeChallenge: The 10 Best Journaling Prompts for Reflecting on This Time in Quarantine
We are living during some crazy times. And, no matter what your take is on it-- whether you are frustrated or enjoying some newfound freedoms-- this break from our "old normal" can be a great opportunity to reevaluate where we were when this all started and where we want to be when it comes to an end. Read on for 10 journaling prompts that can help you reflect on this situation and explore where you might be headed as we transition into the next "new normal."
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Quarantine Update- Week 7 of the #StayAtHomeChallenge: How an Organized Mind Creates a Hopeful Heart
We have pretty much been cooped up in our home for the past 7 weeks, and there is a big temptation to just let chaos take over. It's not like company is coming over any time soon. That said, there is something to be said for the positive vibes we get from have our space and minds clutter-free. This week's post explores the connection between organization and a hopeful perspective.
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Week 6 of the #StayAtHomeChallenge: Blending Leadership with Self-Compassion
Being at home as we shelter-in-place leaves time for self-reflection. This week's life lessons had me thinking about my role as a leader in my family as well as the need to treat myself compassionately as I serve those around me. Read on to learn how these two concepts blend together to help us through times of crisis and uncertainty.
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Week 5 of the #StayAtHomeChallenge: Focusing on Habits and Tweaking Traditions
From rescheduled daily routines to spending a holiday in quarantine, change can be hard. Read on to learn how focusing on positive habits and allowing ourselves to change up our holiday traditions has gotten us through another week at home.
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Week 4 of the #StayAtHomeChallenge: The Less is More Spring Break Where We Found Joy
With our school keeping its regularly-planned spring break, I was tempted to go with the popular idea of crafting a week filled with special staycation ideas. That was until I realized that a more unstructured week with lots of down time would bring us some much needed joy. Read on to learn why doing less on spring break meant we had more time for ourselves and each other.
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Week 3 of the #StayAtHomeChallenge: Dealing with Loss During Covid-19 and Using A Goal Planner to Get Back on Track
It seems that grief was part of my current struggles with the "new normal" that we have in the age of Covid-19 and social distancing. In this post, I explore the losses I've experienced. I also discuss how goal planning and trying Rachel Hollis's #Next90Days Challenge is helping get me out of my coronavirus rut.
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Coronavirus Update- Week 2 of the #StayAtHomeChallenge (A Tough Gig for Working Moms)
It's week 2 of staying at home due to the Coronavirus, and we are starting to feel the strain. From paranoia about having the virus to learning to be more virtually social, here is a snapshot of our week and some of the lessons learned as we adapt to sheltering in place during a pandemic.
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Coronavirus Update- Week 1 of the #StayAtHomeChallenge (And the Story of How We Survived the Bug Invasion of 2020)
We are hunkering down and staying at home while we try to do our part in slowing down the spread of the novel coronavirus. Here is how our first week of homeschooling and teleworking went, complete with a story of how we narrowly survived a bug invasion.
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“Calm in the Time of Corona: A Website Roundup to Ease Your Mind”
In the midst of a global coronavirus pandemic, when our anxiety is on the rise, it's important to get good information and focus on positive ways to spend our time. Read on for a roundup of reliable websites about the pandemic and how to prepare for it as well as some suggestions about how to stay calm and care for ourselves and our families.
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“Spring Forward” Wellness Ideas to Plan Into Your Year
If you're anything like me, your first instinct during a "fall backward" or "spring forward" time change is to do some seasonal home maintenance. But, let's take a step back and ask if there's any seasonal wellness maintenance we can do for ourselves. Read on to see how taking the time to plan out big self-care activities can restore us-body, mind, and soul.
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15 Easy and Cheap Self-Care Activities
Moms do so much for their families, and some of it is hard to measure. All the mental energy it takes to keep up with schedules, plan parties or vacations, and remember every moving part of a family's daily life can leave us feeling run down. That is where self-care comes in. Read on for some ideas to ease the stress by doing fun things to take care of you.
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Hang in there Mamas. You’re doing just fine.
So many moms I know have some issue that they are struggling with. Along with the struggle comes the feeling that we cannot vent our frustrations lest we risk being ungrateful for our lives.
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Getting Back to Old-Fashioned, Handwritten Communication
Just a few days out from Valentine's Day has me thinking about my next visit to the card store. Sending out hand-written cards and letters is a meaningful way to stay in touch with loved ones. Read more about the value of sending this sort of snail mail and the supplies that making writing more fun!
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Pushing Past Fear and Trying Things That Speak to You
As much as we fear failure, there is a greater thing to fear and that is the regret that comes with knowing you wanted to try something but for whatever reason did not do it. Read on to learn more about why trying something new is good for your brain and how to get past some of the fears that keep us from taking the leap into something new.
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Long-Term Goal Planning: Write a Letter to Your Future Self
Maybe you created a time capsule when you were in elementary school to preserve the memories of what life was like at that time in your life. Writing letters to your future self is a way to create written time capsules that preserve memories and long-term goals. Read on to learn more about these fun and meaningful messages from the past.
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Healthy Asian-Inspired Recipe: Teriyaki Beef Stir-Fry
Asian-flavored foods can sometimes be hard to find when you're on a gluten-free or paleo diet. This recipe combines delicious ingredients to make an Asian-flavored stir-fry that your family won't even realize is healthy.
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Put it in Writing: the Best Supplies and Tips for Journaling
Stress is a fact of life for nearly every person on the planet. Although we try to stay positive and not depress others with our problems, wishing our stress and anxiety away will only lead to problems. Read on to learn how regularly journaling can help with stress management and see which supplies make the writing process more enjoyable.
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Easy, Affordable Faith Planner
Although planning is usually reserved for everyday appointments and to dos, I've found that having a faith planner is a great way to be intentional about my spiritual goals. Read on to learn about how I set up my faith planner and the best supplies to use in yours!
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Tips for Trying Emily Ley’s Simplicity Challenge
Although many Simplified Planner users do a month-long Simplicity Challenge at the beginning of the year, I decided to try mine in December. Read on for what I learned during this process and tips I'm sharing to make your Simplicity Challenge even more successful.
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Making Holiday Traditions that Work for Your Family
Families all have their annual holiday traditions, and ours is no different. Read on to learn about how these traditions can take form for our families and learn about the dishes that we make to honor our yearly tradition. As a bonus, I've included three recipes for the meal we make each holiday season!
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Rethinking New Year’s Goals and Resolutions
New Year's resolutions. Many of us set these every year, and by the end of January, most of us have given up on them. Instead of coming up with a laundry list of self-improvement tasks, let's try something different. Rather than focus on "What" we are resolving to do, let's ask "Why" we want to do it. Then, let's set limits on what we choose to put on that list, so we have time to achieve our goals this new year.
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Using A Traveler’s Notebook as a Holiday Planner
There is so much that goes into holiday planning, even when you are trying to keep things simple. From shopping for gifts to planning out meals, it can be overwhelming to keep track of it all. One way to keep up with all the holiday plans and lists is to use a planning system where everything is in one, portable place. Read on to learn how a traveler's notebook can help you keep track of all your holiday plans.
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Swapping Guilt for Grace This Holiday Season
The holidays are supposed to be a warm and joyful time of year. But, for many, it can been a time of over-spending, over-scheduling, and over-doing it. There's no need to feel guilty about this. Read on about how being gracious with ourselves means sometimes scaling back the holidays some years to make way for what really matters.
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#30DaysOfGratitude – What I Learned and Tips for Trying it Yourself
I tried #30DaysOfGratitude and it not only put things in perspective but was very therapeutic. November may be over, but it's not too late to share your gratitude. Read on to find out what I gained from this experience and some tips for anyone wishing to try it.
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Menu-plan like a pro by cooking a meal that stretches!
We all know eating homemade meals is good for our diets, family lives and budgets, but it can be difficult to find the time and energy to cook on weeknights. Read on to learn about a recipe that you can prep ahead of time and cooks while you are out and about. It also stretches to make other meals during the week!
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Ditch the Weekly Chore Chart & Simplify Household Tasks
Unless you have a cleaning service, finding time to get the house clean without ruining the weekend or exhausting yourself can be a challenge. Weekly chore charts are an overachievers dream, but for the rest of us, they can be an excuse to give up on keeping our homes tidy. Read on for how you can use your planner to do a few chores during the week, keep your home clean, and still have a weekend!
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Goal Planning 101: 5 Simple Actions To Take Before Starting a Goal Planner
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by all the goal setting planners and products that are currently on the market. Read on to learn the five simple actions that will help you prepare to tackle goal setting for 2020.
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Every Family Needs a “Thing” And Ours is Halloween
Halloween is our family's favorite holiday, and this year's was no exception. Read on to learn about our Halloween-themed costumes and the simple way we decorate the house each year.
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Book Club: In the Garden of Beasts
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Book Club: In the Garden of Beasts
Once a month, I am fortunate to get together with a special group of ladies to discuss a book we have selected. I hosted the October book club meeting where we discussed Erik Larson's "In the Garden of Beasts." Read on for more about the theme and food ideas for this fun meeting.
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Every Family Needs a “Thing” And Ours is Halloween
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Sausage Skillet Bake: A Fall Recipe Makeover
Now that we finally have some cooler weather, it's time for comfort food! Read on to learn about how I took a gluten-filled less-than-healthy recipe and made it over into casserole that works for the paleo and gluten free folks in my family.
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Make the most of your time: productive habits for every time of day
Time can easily slip away from us if we are not intentional about prioritizing what needs to get done so we can have time to care for ourselves. Read on to learn more about how implementing some routines in the morning, after work or school, and before bed can set you up for a more positive and productive day.
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Yes, I have a Separate Weekend Planner
Because most planners combine both weekend days into a single day's space, I needed a planner that I could use to plan out all the things I do for my family on the weekends. Read on to find out more about how a simple, undated to do planner helped me revolutionize my weekend planning routine.
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Paleo/Whole30-Friendly Roasted Delicata Squash Hash
For this post, I thought I would share a recipe I made this week with a really versatile ingredient- delicata squash. To save time, prep ingredients over the weekend and cook on the weeknight. Served with a fried egg, you can make it for any meal of the day!
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How I use an Emily Ley Simplified Daily Planner
Although I have been using a weekly planner religiously for the past 4 years, I have just purchased my second Simplified Daily Planner by Emily Ley. Read on for a product review, coupon code, and to learn why using a daily planner was a game changer for my weekday planning.
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How Hobbies Rejuvenate Me: Mind, Body, and Soul
Last week's car crashing into my house reminded me of how important it is to take care of my mind and body during stressful times. My hobbies go a long way in helping me stay healthy when life seems out of control. Read more to find out how.
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Why I write a gratitude list — twice a day.
So, when I was thinking about my second blog post (which, by the way, apparently happens about one minute after publishing your first blog post 😊), I figured I would tell you about daily planners, as Emily Ley launched the 2020 calendar year daily planners this week. But, knowing I had a week to write the post, I decided to just enjoy my day off. Labor Day itself turned out to be a pleasant day. We took the kids to a local park and walked around the lake, lazed around the house, and had a cookout at my mom’s. That was before Labor Day took an unexpected turn. Around 8:45…
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Using Plain Old Binders to Organize School Paperwork
Happy Labor Day! I could not think of a better day for a working mom to launch her blog! You see, the beginning of September holds more than just a three-day weekend for us working moms. For many, it also marks the beginning of the traditional school calendar. And, with the start of school comes lots of paperwork. Here is how I use binders to get the job done!
